"O wha is this at my bower door,45
That calls me by my name?"
"It is your first love, sweet Willie,
This night newly come hame."
"I hae few lovers thereout, thereout,
As few hae I therein;50
The best an' love that ever I had,
Was here just late yestreen."
"The warstan stable in a' your stables,
For my puir steed to stand;
The warstan bower in a' your bowers,55
For me to lie therein:
My boots are fu' o' Clyde's water,
I'm shivering at the chin."
"My barns are fu' o' corn, Willie,
My stables are fu' o' hay;60
My bowers are fu' o' gentlemen;—
They'll nae remove till day."
"O fare-ye-well, my fause Meggie,
O farewell, and adieu;
I've gotten my mither's malison,65
This night coming to you."
As he rode ower yon high, high hill,
And down yon dowie den;
The rushing that was in Clyde's water
Took Willie's cane frae him.70
He lean'd him ower his saddle bow,
To catch his cane again;
The rushing that was in Clyde's water
Took Willie's hat frae him.
He lean'd him ower his saddle bow,75
To catch his hat thro' force;
The rushing that was in Clyde's water
Took Willie frae his horse.
His brither stood upo' the bank,
Says, "Fye, man, will ye drown?80
Ye'll turn ye to your high horse head,
And learn how to sowm."